Installing Python at home

The first thing you should do is install Python on your computer at home. You'll be able to do this from the Downloads page on the Python website. Choose the latest version of Python 3.

If you're using a Mac you should already have Python installed.

If you're using a Windows computer here's a visual guide for you!

Other events and websites like GPN

If you'd like to keep coding after GPN (which we totally think is awesome) then check out these websites.

Grok Learning

This is an awesome place to learn how to not only program in Python, but also learn about web design! It's great because you won't need to install anything on your computer and the notes are interactive. Plus there's an automarker to help you check if your solution works as well as sample solutions if you're stumped.

Age: Year 4 and up

More info: groklearning.com

Scratch

This is an online coding platform aimed at children where you can practice blockly coding to make games and animations, or look at and play other’s code. There are plenty of tutorials to help you get started and plenty of things to do and awesome projects to create.

Age: Year 3 and up

More info: scratch.mit.edu

Code Camp

After school and holiday programs to learn about programming in different languages with different projects. A large range of opportunities for different levels of coding experience.

Age: Kindergarten and up

More info: codecamp.com.au

MakeCode

Online coding platform with many varied coding tutorials of different levels of difficulty and in different languages. Allows for connection to things like Minecraft Education or Micro:Bit boards.

Age: Year 4 and onward

More info: microsoft.com/en-us/makecode

ECU Computing and Security programs

The Edith Cowan University offers lots of programs (including GPN) to get more and more into Computing and Security

Age: Years 7-12

More info: www.ecu.edu.au/schools/science/events-and-activities/computing-and-security-discipline

Khan Academy - Computer Programming

This is another great website which also has interactive tutorials and challenges! The challenges allow you to get creative and you'll also be able to see other people's creations. This site doesn't focus on Python but rather HTML, CSS and Javascript (JS) which is great if you're interested in web design. You'll find the interactive tutorials that will guide you through activities such as how to draw or other things such as how to make your websites interactive with jQuery.

Age: Year 6 and up

More info: khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming

CodeAcademy

Online Coding platform with documentation, workshops and challenges for tons of different coding languages and areas of study. Allows you to even obtain certifications in certain things after following their courses

Age: Year 7 and up

More info: codecademy.com

RoboGals

A non-profit, student run organisation that seeks to encourage and increase female participation in engineering, science and technology fields. Volunteers primarily run simple, fun and FREE NXT LEGO robotics workshops for primary and secondary school girls either at UNSW or at schools. During the workshops, students get to build then program the NXT LEGO robot to fulfil multiple challenges such as making the robot do the Hokey Pokey Dance or escape from a maze.

Age: Years 1-12

More info: robogals.org

Rails Girls

Rails Girls aims is to give tools and a community for women to understand technology and to build their ideas by providing a great experience on building things and by making technology more approachable. Learn basic programming, or expand your knowledge, and get acquainted with the world of technology. Rails Girls was born in Finland, but is nowadays a global, non-profit volunteer community.

Age: Year 7 onward

More info: railsgirls.com

Australian Informatics Olympiad

The Australian Informatics Olympiad is a competition in September, and students who do well are invited to a 10-day training camp in December. The camp teaches high-school students an entire university degree's worth of computer science and algorithms, and gives them a chance to meet other computer scientists like themselves. The training site also has some great past problems to work on outside of the camp, and the best students represent Australia at the International Olympiad in Informatics!

Age: Years 8-12

More info: orac.amt.edu.au

Free Code Camp

Free online space to learn and practice many different coding languages with many courses ending in a certification.

Age: Years 7-12

More info: freecodecamp.org

Code.org

Online code learning platform that has many different options for ways to learn to code. From blockly to many more

Age: Years k-12

More info: code.org

CS Unplugged

A selection of computer science activities for teaching younger students IT.

Age: Years K-6

More info: csunplugged.org

Girls Make Games

A 2-3 day workshop where girls learn game design, art and programming with hands-on activities and field trips to local game development companies.

Age: Years 3-9

More info: girlsmakegames.com

Hour of Code

A 1-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and help anyone to learn the basics.

Age: Anyone!

More info: hourofcode.com

Code School

An online learn-to-code website that teaches Ruby, Javascript, HTMl/CSS, version control and mobile app development.

Age: Years 6+

More info: codeschool.com